Hearing Aide: The Felice Brothers- Life in the Dark

The Felice Brothers album, Life in the Dark, to be released on June 24, is a great example of how to be a relevant folk band. Many bands feel they need to discuss the good ole days or life out on the farm, but the Felice Brothers largely steer clear of this theme, and are able to get their message across just fine. They define as indie-Folk, if that’s even a thing.

Songs like the opener, “Aerosol Ball”, “Plunder” and “Sally” are rocking tunes reminiscent of shows like Happy Days. Not many bands would try and pull this sound off – mixing the rock n’ roll of the 1950s under lyrics about issues of today is just, well, nifty.

“Jack at the Asylum” and Life in the Dark” are two examples of a slower side of the Brothers. In “Asylum”, Ian Felice howls “America” with what would seems like his last breath while “Life in the Park” preaches a different, very morbid message. At the end of the song chanting that “we live and we die and we don’t know why”, there seems no place for such a line, but maybe, since the album was named after this song, there is a reason its on here.

“Diamond Bell” is the only song that has a new age folk vibe. It is the story of a girl who seemingly goes on a murder spree across the country and he loves her anyway: more of the same story that’s been told a million time. My deepest apologies if this “Diamond Bell” did enter your life and cause such a ruckus, but it seems far fetched and when all is said and done it didn’t add very much value as the album is strong enough on its own. The style that fans have grown to love shines through this album. People who think folk is a dead art need to listen to “Life in the Dark”, by The Felice Brothers.

About Jimmy Chambers

I am a 40 year old site service worker at The College of Nano Scale Science and Engineering. I have a passion for writing and music. Graduating from Plattsburgh State University with an English degree was really a positive experience for me, one in which has taught me skills helping me grasp the language, both verbally and on a writing platform. I enjoy doing things, such as family outings, running, hiking, and of course catching as much live music as possible